9/17 Leo AMPS 528 +3 441 +4 575 +6 426 +8 403 PMPS 391

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Lisa & Leo

Lisa & Leo

Member Since 2012
Yesterday's Condo

Yesterday's Summary
AMPS 161
+1 209
+6 463
PMPS 492
+2 368
+5 328

Leo, what the heck happened to you yesterday?!? Is this really dose increase behavior?!? Leo is bouncing around as I write - but WTF? I know, let him settle into a dose but he NEVER threw blacks unless he was coming off low greens. LEO this is NO WAY TO START A TRIP! At lease I don't have to worry about him crashing while I'm driving. We will be leaving at about +3 and on the road for about 4 hours. Little STINKER!

Leo's preparing for his Big Adventure today! We've been getting ready all weekend and Leo's going to stay with mama bean for several days to see how he likes being a Commuting Cat. (aka Kommuting Kitty). We did a Rescue Remedy trial on Saturday with just a tad of it (the alcohol version) but I doubt the alcohol free version will arrive in time today for our departure. We tried a Xanax trial last night with half the vet's recommended starting dose and Leo was HAPPY KITTY! It didn't mellow him like I thought (Cool Cat lounging on the couch, languidly stretching out for meal time). No he was ZIPPING AROUND THE HOUSE cat! And he had the munchies - ate every meal in sight. Well, his BGs have been tooo high, so that's probably just his ravenous high BG behavior. So I'm not sure what to make of his performance on Xanax. He wasn't aggressive - just happier playing. Kittie uppers!

I will try the pheromone based spray I got for the carrier and car and perhaps try a tiny dab of the Rescue Remedy.

Here's the Diabetic Kitty Travel List, including the input from folks here - you guys gave me some vital stuff I would have missed otherwise. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YvM ... 6eg-8/edit. Comments welcome. After our trip, I'm sure I'll have additions and personal experiences to add some humor.
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528

Lisa,
I hope you and Leo have a good safe trip. I can't access the link. I would like to take a look at it.
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528

I found the link in you condo from yesterday, and am reading it now. You know, you may be able to get the Rescue Remedy for pets at your vet's office. I think mine has it.

Back to reading.
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528

I don't see ketone test strips on your list, and I don't see a large litter box on your list for when you get to your destination, but maybe you already have those there.
Also, if you use any appetite stimulants or other meds, be sure to bring those. I usually have a couple pee pads in the carrier and a gallon sized baggie to put a wet pee pad in to dispose of quickly.
I noticed that my cats were pretty mellow (after a few hours :roll: ) when the cruise control was on, but as soon as I disengaged the cruise control or used the brakes, they would wake up and seem more stressed.

You have lots of food, and treats?

Don't get complacent with the high number, this may be a high before the break, and some cats go lower with stress.

Again, have a good trip. Can't wait to hear about your adventures.
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528

Good luck on your grand adventure: Kommunting Kitty - I so hope that goes well. I can't wait to hear how this goes. it is something that I have been contemplating with Mannie, just to be able to get out more, spend time going somewhere that doesn't require me to be home in 12 hours. Mich luck!

So sorry for the 500 this morning... Leo? What's up with that? I hope he comes down soon for you.

Enjoy your day today!
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528

I doubt that this is still new dose wonkiness. That occurs the cycle or two after a dose increase. I wonder if Leo is picking up on your stress.

Re. the Xanax and appetite: Xanax is a class of drug called benzodiazepines -- the same family as Valium. These drugs can have an appetite stimulating effect in cats.
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528

Dyana - good catch on the Ketones. I'll add it. Yes, I forgot to add a full sized litter box to the list. I'm trying out the disposable for the trip - it's smaller and fits on the floor mat ... with a garbage bag and pee pads under it! My vet didn't have Rescue Remedy, but she did look it up on the internet and check to see that it's ok with the diabetes. I suspected it was since so many people here recommended it, but I was happy to see that she had no problem doing the research on the spot to make sure.

About the cruise control ... AGREED! Most cats I've had to get "into the groove" if nothing changes, but boy, stop for a light or make a turn and the drama restarts! Luckily, the drive is mostly highway and I set it on cruise control anyway to avoid the tickets.

LOTS of food and treats. I have probably enough for his entire visit, with a special bag marked HC+KARO, and another marked MC. And his LC in a case. And a spoon and fork in the HC bag.

Boiled chicken treats, and also Beefeaters freeze-dried salmon ... which he *adores* :lol:

I'll test him in a few before we leave and then as close to his nadir as I can, rest stops willing.

Oh good lord, I just realized the list didn't include INSULIN!!!!!
Thanks!
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528

Sienne and Gabby said:
I doubt that this is still new dose wonkiness. That occurs the cycle or two after a dose increase. I wonder if Leo is picking up on your stress.
Click to expand...

Could be, but I play with him a lot and he seems his normal crazy self. But they are sensitive to mood, so it's entirely possible.

Sienne and Gabby said:
Re. the Xanax and appetite: Xanax is a class of drug called benzodiazepines -- the same family as Valium. These drugs can have an appetite stimulating effect in cats.
Click to expand...

Well, that certainly could have added to it! I know a bulk of the insane appetite are his BG values. Up over about 400ish, the ravenous mindless food inhalation begins. I feel so bad when I see that because I know he isn't able to use most of those calories :sad:

Thanks, Michelle - what we're doing out of necessity now will hopefully have good benefits later. I never would have considered taking him on a short trip just to avoid being home for one injection, but maybe he'll be mellow enough after this that we can consider it!
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528

Hi guys .. just want to wish you well on your trip adventure! It sounds like you have thought of everything including insulin now :-D I'm sure all will be well, but I remember how nervous we were traveling with mocha to her dentist, and that was only 2 hours away! Have a safe trip!
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528

I mentioned the litter box, because when J.D. gets off the airplane in SFO, and is usually high, I always remind my dad over and over to be sure to bring the litter box for the long car ride home from the airport. J.D. usually doesn't use it, but once he did, and phewee, we made an emergency stop to clean out the litter box on the side of the highway.
Then at my dad's he always has this little litter box, and I put pee pads well around it (like four), because the box is the same size as J.D. and he sometimes, kind of misses, over the side :roll:

When I go to Deb's in Pittsburgh, the first time I went, I get out of the car after the long stressful 6 hour trip, and unpack my cats, and realize all I have is this little litter box again that I used in the car. Luckily Deb has a full sized one that I borrow when I'm there.

I found that if I sing, my cats wail :oops: :lol:
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528

Are ya there yet? :razz:

I found another thing to add/fix about your list. I found this under the United Airlines Pet Policy site regarding flying with your pets: Never give your pet a medical (prescription) sedative. If you want your pet to be more relaxed, then give it a natural pet calmer. Many airlines will refuse to ship a pet that has been sedated. I thought it was just diabetics that should not be sedated.
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528 +3 441 +4 575 +6 426 +8 403

Wow - we are here. party_cat Well, I'm not sure we're exactly PARTYING, but we're here in once piece, and both of us exhausted. The trip took 4 1/2 hours...it would normally take me 3 1/4.

0-15 min: Crying, plaintif cries ending in question marks? Mommy?
15-35 min: Silence (ahhhhhh! Yes!)
40 min: Voluminous and prodigious Uuuuuuurrrfff. In the carrier, all over his blanket, on his feet. Poor guy!
So we pulled over and cleaned up (garbage bag, wipes, pee pads ... all within arms reach!)
After that he was pretty quiet, just not feeling very good and getting bounced around. I should have brought a second blanket for his carrier - I just piled up some pee pads. We stopped two other times to take a break, and he got out of the carrier to look around. He wandered all over the car, then sat on my lap and I stuck his ear. BG post barf was 575. :sad:

I found that he doesn't like music but prefers talk radio. Must remind him of the TV running at home. And he likes his carrier covered mostly. That gives him a little "cave" and it keeps him out of the sun. He's not really a sun worshipper. He had no interest in food, water, or the litter box.

When we got to my place, I opened his carrier right in front of the litter box. He wandered around for about 5 minutes, and then BAM right to the litter box to mark his turf, and peeeeeeeeed forever! Good boy.

Now he's under the bed, which is a favorite safe place for him. He's come out a couple times but ends up back under there. Hopefully he'll wander out more this evening. We are both just knocked out.

So, it looks like I need an anti-nausea med. We used Pepcid with our dog all the time. It's ok for cats, right? What dose? I sprayed one of the hormone sprays in his carrier before we left. I didn't care for the smell, and I'm not sure it did anything. The Rescue Remedy didn't arrive in time, but DH will bring it on Friday so we'll have it as we continue our trip down to see the kids for the weekend.

Dyana - interesting on the airlines policy. Just about everyone I know has given a sedative for air travel. I wonder why they would refuse a pet? Maybe that would be more important for an animal who is shipped in the hold rather than under the passenger's seat? Hmmm.
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528 +3 441 +4 575 +6 426 +8 403

Hello Road Warriors Lisa and Leo!

Good to hear you guys made it there okay :razz: I am using pepcid (for pancreatitis) and like it. Sienne advised me about how to use it in our case.

I hope you are both recovering, and that Leo comes out from under the bed soon; when he does please give him scritches from us! cat_pet_icon

Alexa&Reuben
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528 +3 441 +4 575 +6 426 +8 403

Pepcid is more for acid tummy, I think. I use ondansetron for nausea. You can also use c .. er something that starts with a c .. sorry.

Under traveling with your pet it says "Use of Tranquilizers
Sedation is not advised since the effects of tranquilizers on animals at higher altitudes are unpredictable. The decision to prescribe a tranquilizer for your pet should be made by your veterinarian. If you believe some form of sedation might be helpful, be sure to obtain and follow a veterinarian's advice.".

Sorry, I forgot about the bouncing. J.D. is older and in the hard carrier, when I go to work, I always say loudly "Hold On" when we are going around a sharp curve or stopping (especially hard braking) or starting from a light. J.D. tends to sit the whole time and lean against the side of the carrier, and since he isn't watching the road, he doesn't know when these stops and turns are going to take place, so I try to warn him to brace himself.
When we are going for longer rides, I bought these crate beds (they look like this: http://www.petco.com/product/110502...ral-Cozy-Crate-Beds.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch ) and are about 5 inches wider than the bottom of the crate, so the sides of the bed go up the side of the hard crate a little bit. I put the pee pads on top, and kind of tucked them in in the back. It gives J.D. something more to grab on to, and gives him a little more cushion should he bounce around.

I'm glad you're getting the Rescue Remedy. I hope Leo settles in and smells your smells all over, so he knows he's safe in your apartment.
 
Re: 9/17 Leo AMPS 528 +3 441 +4 575 +6 426 +8 403

I am glad the two of you made it safely. Now about those numbers Leo!

My previous cat used to barf in the car going around corners too sharply. She had to sit in the back sedan window and see the view, I guess it was like car sickness. Hopefully you had paper towel and/or kitty wipes/facecloth and water with you. I had forgotten to mention the second towel for the carrier. :oops: Another thing I found useful was taking along Neko's favorite scratching post. Shortly after she'd get out of the carrier in a hotel room, she'd use it to mark her the place as hers. And then she'd hide under the bed or sofa for a while until the beans settled down.
 
When Furball was diagnosed with diabetes, she also had a uti and ear infection. She wasn't eating and the vet gave her Cerenia to help with nausea. Glad you both made it safely. Hopefully you'll see some better numbers for Leo once he gets settled in.
 
Hi Alexa - yes, you're right. Our old dog had pancreatitus and she had a pepcid a day for years. We're waiting on bloodwork to see if Leo has pancreatitus in the mix, so hopefully not. Leo has come out from under the bed a couple times to slink around, and WOW mommy, the microwave here sounds just like the microwave at home! (He comes running when he hears the microwave because I heat up the sock and he gets heated chicken treats!) I told him everyone is thinking about him to be calm and let his numbers come down. He just looked at me, and then licked himself. Classy!

Dyana - funny - I do the same thing about warning the animals. I had to warn our old dog - she would sit straight up in the front seat and didn't have very good balance, but she loved going for rides! I warned Leo but he didn't really react much. After his massive vomit, he laid down for most of the rest of the trip.

I like the crate beds. I have an oval cat bed that looks very similar to that. I will measure his carrier and get one (or two!) that will give a snug fit. Thanks for the tip! I'll ask the get about the nausea med.

Hi Wendy - yes, I managed to organize things really well - I am so happy with my first trip! I had a small crate in the back seat that had garbage bags, paper towels and wipes. I put the bag in front of his crate and just pulled the whole mess into the garbage bag. It worked amazingly well. I thought I'd have barf everywhere! Leo doesn't do scratching posts - I have to try a different one. He's into carpet edges. Not good.

Hi Carla and Shannan ... thanks for the Cerenia reference. Yes, we need BETTER NUMBERS Leo!!! :-D

Thanks for the tips and checking in with us!
Lisa and Leo
 
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